To drive economic dev’t in Cameroon: Globeleq unveils opportunities in energy sector.

The press conference February 24, was organised as a side event to the International Exhibition for Enterprises, SMEs and Partnerships of Yaounde, PROMOTE.      

The press outing was coordinated by the Director of Globeleq Cameroon Dibamba Plant, Vanessa Mougnutou; Human Resources Director, Richard Iffot; and Head of Procurement, Marie-Claire Ngo Bayemeck.

Representing the Director General of Globeleq Cameroon, Federic Mvondo; the Director of the Dibamba Plant presented the UK-based company as a major actor in the electric energy production in Cameroon. 

This, she said, is so as the company founded in 2002, is a majority shareholder in the Kribi gas power plant (216 MW) and the Dibamba fuel power plant (86 MW) in the country, having 56% shares while the remaining 44% is contributed by the Cameroon government.

According to Mougnutou, they have as mission to provide more reliable, quality and affordable electricity for households and businesses in the country, thereby powering its economic growth.

“In doing so, we remain committed to protecting the environment, having a positive impact on the communities near our operations and generating financial returns for our shareholders and local stakeholders,” he said.

Key power plants in Cameroon

Qlobeleq Cameroon developed and operates the 88 MW Dibamba heavy fuel oil-fired power plant, located in Yassa-Douala, and supplies electricity to the national distribution company, ENEO, under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

According to Mougnutou, the Dibamba plant which was commissioned in 2009, was originally designed as a back-up power station. However, she said, the growing demand for electricity means that the plant frequently called upon. 

“Electricity is produced from heavy fuel oil and light fuel oil, supplied by the customer ENEO. The electricity produced is sent to ENEO via the transmission network managed by the National Electricity Transmission Company, SONATREL,” the Representative of Globeleq Cameroon DG explained.

On its part, the Kribi Gas power plant, located at the Mpolongwe neighbourhood in Kribi, generates a 216 MW electricity supply. The plant, commissioned in 2013, runs on natural gas with light fuel oil as a back-up. 

She further mentioned that a project to extend the Kribi power station is currently under development and, will be able to generate a total of 330 MW of natural gas-fired electricity once completed.

Community actions

It was also explained that Globeleq as a good corporate citizen company, has over the years been able to carry out several community actions to benefit the economic and social development of local communities in Cameroon. These actions, it was explained have been in the domains of education, social and cultural activities. 

Globeleq Human Resources Director cited the construction of more than 30 classrooms for public nursery, primary and secondary schools in Douala and Kribi, and the award of academic excellence prizes to more than 2,000 children in both cities.

He also revealed that the company has awarded over 120 grants to some deserving children and orphans, constructed and equipped two maternity units, rehabilitated over hospitals buildings.

Richard Iffot also mentioned that they have constructed nearly 30 boreholes and created 10 income-generating projects in Douala and Kribi,  

The Head of Procurement added that they have carried out other social actions such as supporting the establishment of 105 birth certificates, payment of school fees and school kits for over 350 pupils of the Bagyeli indigenous peoples along the Kribi-Edea axis.

Globeleq has equally made donations to orphanages in Douala and Kribi, support for victims of natural disasters like the Mbankolo landslide and for IDPs from the North West and South West Regions.

Challenges

It was also revealed that the company has an overwhelming debt from government which are yet to be fully paid. As a result of this financial difficulties, some of it operations at both plants have in the recent past been affected with machines at the plants forced to halt operation.

The representative of the Globeleq DG said they are in constant conversation with government to resolve the debt owed them.

Amidst these difficulties, the company officials at the press conference mentioned that it has been forced to map out resilience mechanism such as reshuffling of staff between both plants.

The company has equally ensured a conducive work environment for the staff ensuring zero accident since start of project in Dibamba and for the past two years at the Kribi plant. 

They added that the company has also paid workers salaries on regular basis despite the difficult financial context.